Self-interpreting Bible

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Proverbs 8

1The solemn call, 6sound teaching, 10inestimable worth, 12nature, 15benefits, 22and eternity of wisdom. 32Wisdom is to be attended to for the blessedness it bringeth.


1 DOTH not awisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?

2 She standeth in the top of bhigh places, by the way in the places of the paths.

3 She crieth at the cgates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.

4 Unto dyou, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.

5 O eye simple, understand wisdom: and, fye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.

6 Hear; for I will gspeak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.

7 For hmy mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is 1an abomination to my lips.

8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing 2*froward or perverse in them.

  • 2: Heb. wreathed. Ps. 12.6. , Ps. 12:6
  • *: froward-perverse, contrary, self-willed.

9 iThey are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.

10 jReceive my instruction, and knot silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.

11 For lwisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.

12 I mwisdom dwell with 3prudence, and find out knowledge of *witty inventions.

13 The nfear of the LORD is to hate evil: opride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the *froward mouth, do I hate.

14 pCounsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; qI have strength.

15 rBy me kings reign, and princes decree justice.

16 By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.

    17 I slove them that love me; and tthose that seek me early shall find me.

    18 uRiches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.

    19 My vfruit is better than gold, yea, than wfine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.

    20 xI 4lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:

    21 That I may cause those that love me yto inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.

    22 The zLORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.

    23 I awas set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.

    24 When there were no bdepths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.

    25 cBefore the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:

    26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the 5fields, nor 6the highest part of the dust of the world.

    • 5: Or, open places.
    • 6: Or, the chief part.

    27 When he dprepared the heavens, I was there: ewhen he *set 7a compass upon the face of the depth:

    28 When he festablished the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:

    29 gWhen he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he happointed the foundations of the earth:

    30 Then iI was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;

    31 Rejoicing in the jhabitable part of his earth; and kmy delights were with the sons of men.

    32 Now therefore lhearken unto me, O ye children: for mblessed are they that keep my ways.

    33 nHear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.

    34 oBlessed is the man that heareth me, pwatching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.

    35 For qwhoso findeth me rfindeth life, and shall 8obtain favour of the LORD.

    36 But she that sinneth against me twrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me ulove death.